The Purpose of ICF Mentor Coaching
Mentor coaching is essential for developing and demonstrating the coaching competencies required for your desired credential. It fosters growth through constructive feedback and reflective practice over an extended period, typically a minimum of three months.
Mentor coaching is available to coaches across all credentialing levels, including Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC) applicants, and is crucial for both initial credentialing and renewal. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for your next level, mentor coaching can help you continuously grow.
What Exactly is Mentor Coaching?
ICF defines mentor coaching as a collaborative process where coaches receive feedback based on observed sessions to refine their skills and style in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies. Mentor coaches have their own set of competencies to help guide their work with you, so you can ensure that the experience is grounded in evidence-based practice.
How Does ICF Mentor Coaching Work?
- Observation and Feedback: Mentor coaches listen to your recorded or observed coaching sessions and offer insights based on the ICF Core Competencies. This feedback fosters skill enhancement, helping you better serve your clients.
- Extended Learning Cycle: Mentor coaching isn’t a one-off event. It spans at least three months, offering ample time to absorb feedback, reflect on it, and implement improvements in your coaching practice.
Why Is Mentor Coaching Crucial?
Much like athletes rely on coaches to refine their performance, coaches depend on mentor coaches to sharpen their abilities. It's a structured and supportive environment where feedback is designed to enhance your coaching mindset, skill set, and overall competence.
Through this reciprocal partnership, mentor coaching is not just a formality but a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself as a coach.
Start mentor coaching today and elevate your practice to new heights!
Credentialing & Mentor Coaching
In addition to being a vital component for your own development, mentor coaching is a requirement for achieving an ICF credential. As you dive into the requirements, you’ll first want to be sure about which credential you are pursuing and which application path you are using.
ICF Mentor Coaching Requirements for ACC, PCC, and MCC
ACC Credential
To determine if you have met the mentor coaching requirements for your ACC credential, first consider your credential application path:
- Level 1 / Level 2 Path: You have already fulfilled the mentor coaching requirement for the ACC credential as part of your education program.
- Portfolio Path: You must receive 10 hours of mentor coaching prior to submitting your application.
- Credential Renewal: Each time you renew, you must complete 10 hours of mentor coaching.
If either the Portfolio Path or Credential Renewal options apply to you, here are additional details you need to complete the mentor coaching requirement:
- Duration: The 10 hours must be completed over a minimum period of three months.
- Session Structure: Out of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one sessions. The remaining seven hours can be one-on-one or in a group setting with no more than 10 individuals.
- Mentor Qualifications: Your mentor coach must hold a valid ACC, PCC, or MCC credential. If your mentor is an ACC, they must have renewed their credential at least once before they are eligible to serve as your mentor coach for ACC credentialing or renewal.
PCC Credential
To determine if you have met the mentor coaching requirements for your PCC credential, first consider your credential application path:
- Level 1 Path: You must receive 10 hours of mentor coaching prior to submitting your application.
- Level 2 Path: You have already fulfilled the mentor coaching requirement for the PCC credential as part of your education program.
- Portfolio Path: You must receive 10 hours of mentor coaching prior to submitting your application.
If either the Level 1 Path or Portfolio Application Path options apply to you, here are additional details you need to complete the mentor coaching requirement:
- Duration: The 10 hours must be completed over a minimum period of three months.
- Session Structure: Out of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one sessions. The remaining seven hours can be one-on-one or in a group setting with no more than 10 individuals.
- Mentor Qualifications: Your mentor coach must hold a valid PCC or MCC credential.
MCC Credential
To determine if you have met the mentor coaching requirements for your MCC credential, first consider your credential application path:
- Level 3 Path: You have already fulfilled the mentor coaching requirement for the MCC credential as part of your education program.
- Portfolio Path: You must receive 10 hours of mentor coaching prior to submitting your application. These must be new hours of mentor coaching and cannot have been used for a prior credential.
If the Portfolio Path applies to you, here are additional details you need to complete the mentor coaching requirement:
- Duration: The 10 hours must be completed over a minimum period of three months.
- Session Structure: Out of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one sessions. The remaining seven hours can be one-on-one or in a group setting with no more than 10 individuals.
- Mentor Qualifications: Your mentor coach must hold a valid MCC credential.
Documentation for ICF Credential Application
When completing your online credential application, you’ll need to provide some key details about your mentor coach, including:
- Their name and email address.
- Their credential level (ACC, PCC, or MCC).
- The start and end dates of your mentoring relationship.
- The number of coaching hours you completed with them.
While you don't need to submit any documents from your mentor coach, they should be able to confirm that your mentoring took place.
Ready to Apply for Your ICF Credential?
Apply Now
If you have all that is needed for mentor coaching and have met the other requirements for an ICF credential, you can start your application now.
Review Requirements
If you aren’t sure you’ve met all the requirements yet, no worries. You can review them at any time.
Become a Mentor Coach
Ready to inspire and empower fellow coaches?
Serving as a mentor coach is your chance to give back to the profession, find personal fulfillment, and leave a lasting impact on the coaching community — all while honing your own skills and leadership.
And stepping into this role is simpler than you might think! The only requirement is that you hold an ICF credential at the same level or higher than the one your mentee is pursuing. For ACC candidates, your credential must have been renewed at least once.
Elevate Your Impact With the ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies
The ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies provide a clear and practical framework for you to guide and empower the coaches you mentor with confidence and skill. Built on evidence-based practices, these competencies are designed to enhance your effectiveness and elevate your mentoring practice.
By embracing these competencies, you’re helping to uphold high standards and champion continuous growth across the coaching profession.